Artist:
N.C. Wyeth
(American, 1882 - 1945)
He turned and faced the rising sun, the light full on his face.
Alternate Title(s):The Artist; The Poet
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1910
Dimensions:
47 1/8 × 38 in. (119.7 × 96.5 cm)
Private collection
Accession number: SUPP2000.901
Research Number: NCW: 901
InscribedLower right: N. C. WYETH / 1910
ProvenanceCharles Scribner's Sons, New York, NY; the artist; gift to Sidney M. Chase, to 1957; Mrs. Sidney M. Chase; Mrs. N. C. Wyeth; Carolyn Wyeth; (Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville, DE); Collection of John Edward Dell to 1995; Private Collection, NJ; (Freeman's, Philadelphia, PA, Dec. 7, 2014, lot no. 65)
Exhibition HistoryHaverhill, MA, 1913
References
Richard Layton, "Inventory of Paintings in the Wyeth Studio, 1950, " unpublished, Wyeth Family Archives, p. 70; Douglas Allen and Douglas Allen, Jr., N. C. Wyeth, The Collected Paintings, Illustrations and Murals (New York: Crown Publishers, 1972), p. 275; Christine B. Podmaniczky, N. C. Wyeth, A Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings (London: Scala, 2008), I.321, p. 216
Curatorial RemarksIn March, 1911, Sidney Chase, a fellow Howard Pyle "graduate," wrote to congratuate N. C. Wyeth when this painting appeared in Scribner's Magazine. The artist responded: I painted that illustration with more ease and serenity than has ever been my pleaseure; and must admit, even if immodestly, that this picture embodies certain well balanced qualities unusual in my work -- both in its relation to the story and in its artistic merits. The story of course deserves first mention. I am so glad to hear you speak so highly of it. I have read it many times, and in each case become more and more convinced of its great power and impressed by its glorious lesson! It is strange that this particular ms was given to me with the remark --"It's not much of story - but there's a good chance in it for a picture." In another letter, Wyeth wrote probably in regards to this picture, "My illustration in Scribner's comes nearer to satisfying me than any I havae done thus far. Refined and dignified, with some artistic quality too" (NCW to ANW, "Here I am, alone for the day,..." and dated in another hand Feb. 24, 1911, WFA).
Image Source for printed Catalogue Raisonne:Photography directly from painting
Photo Credit:Courtesy Sommerville Manning Gallery, 9/2006